Football game



May 13, 1930. E. w. ROBERT 1,758,0'63

FOOTBALL GAME Filed Feb. 24, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented May 13g,`1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EUGENE W'. ROBERT. OIF-ATLANTA,GEORGIA.

FOOTBALL GAME Application led February 24, 1928. Serial No. 256,736.

the successive plays made and the results of such plays.

The invention consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement ofparts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanyingdrawings and claimed, In the drawings Figure 1 is an enlarged plan viewof a chance device forming parts of the game apparatus embodying thepresent invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the game board, showing therepresentation of a footballeld.

Figure 3 is a transverse section of the complete board; and l Figure 4is an enlarged perspective view of a game piece which may be employed onthe game board to indicate the position of the ball in play. 3o vReferring more in detail to the drawings, rthe present game apparatusembodies a chance device 5 for use in determining the successive playsmade and the results of such plays, a ame board having therein thechance device 5 and the representation 6 of a football field, and a gamepiece 7 for use on the board to indicate the position of the ball inplay on the field.

The chance device 5 preferably consists of a sheet formed of carboard orother suitable material and having inscribed thereon a plurality ofconcentric circles 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 defining a plurality of circularareas therebetween and a central circular area within the innermostcircle. As shown, the central circular area is subdivided by radiallines 13 into spaces inscribed with legends designating dierent resultsof kick-ods made when starting play. rlhe circular area between the 50two outermost circles is divided by" radial lines 14 into spacesinscribed withl legends designating different results of plays made inreceiving the ball from kick-ods. Radially alined spaces of these twoareas are', in playing the game, to be read jointly in determining the'ultimate result of a kick-ofi' and the position to be assumedby the gamepiece when play is resumed. These areas are accordingly given similarvisible characteristics, such as being of the same color as shown by theshade lines. The circular area between the two innermost circles isdivided by radial lines 15 into spaces inscribed with legendsdesignating different results of running plays, and the next outercircular area is divided by radial lines 16 into spaces inscribed withlegends designating different kinds of running plays. Radially alinedspaces of these latter two areas are to be read jointly in determiningthe character and result of a 'running play when the player elects tomake: a running play after kick-olf, and such areas are accordinglygiven other similar visible characteristics, such as a common colordifferent from that of the two Erst-mentioned areas, as shown.YTheremainingcircular area, as shown, has a still different visiblecharacteristic or color, and is divided by radial lines 17 into spacesinscribed with -legends designating different results of forward passes.The plays, as they come in the game, are de termined by revolving asingle pointer 18 which is pivoted to the board at the center of thecircular areas of the chance device. A. simple and readily readablesingle-chance device is thus provided for presenting in compact andcomplete form substantially all of the realistic features, plays andresults experienced in actual playing of a regula-tion football game.The only features omitted are the unnecessary and relatively unimportantones of kicking field goals and kicking goals after touchdowns for extrapoints.

The board consists of a Hat box composed of similar-half sections hingedtogether along adjacent sides as at 19 to permit folding thereof intocompact form, and printed or otherwise suitably provided uponV the innersurface of one vsection of the board is the representation 6 of afootball ield,the chance 1 0@ device 5 being secured on the inside ofthe other section of the board. This representation preferably embodiesside lines 20, goal lines 21, end lines 22, five yard lines 23connecting the side lines and numbered as at 24 along the latter, oneyard lines 25 between the five yard lines, a goal 26 on each end line,and marks 27 on the respective 40 yard lines to designate the positionsof the ball for kick-offs.

The game piece 7 is used as a marker adapted to be moved to differentpositions on the surface of the game board as dictated by each use ofthe chance device, in order to keep account of what yard line the ballis on. As shown, the game piece may consist of a miniaturerepresentation of a football calrried by a short supporting base orpedesta The rules for playing indoor football7 are the same as thepresent rules governing the outdoor game with two exceptions, i. e., thetry for field goal or drop kick and the try for'extra point after atouchdown.

To begin play the opposing players toss a coin andthe winner has thechoice of receiving the kick or kicking to his opponent. The playerkicking then spins the pointer and the legends in the inner and outercircular areas show the results of the kick-off. For instance, if theinner circle reads touchback the outer circle reads return to 20 yardline.

The player who received the kick is then in possession of the ball onhis own 2O yard line and the marker is moved from the kickolf line tohis 2O yard line. He then has four downs or spins in which to gain tenyards and failure to make this yardage gives possession of the ball tohis opponent.

A player in possession of the ball has the choice of playing eithercircular area he wishes but must designate the one he is playing beforeeach spin. If he is playing a line or running lay the second outercircle is used, if a orward pass the second inner circle is used, and ifhe prefers to punt the same circles are read as on the kickoff; The samepenalties apply as in the outdoor game. For instance two or moreincomplete forward passes in one series of plays for a first down resultin five yard penalties.

When a player in possession of the ball has penetrated into hisppponentsterritory as far as his 2O yard line he has the privilege of trying afield goal or dropkick. To do this he places the ball or game piece onhis own ten yard line and attempts to thump it between the uprights ofthe opponents goal post. If successful he gains three points and ifunsuccessful the opponent has possession of the ball on his twenty yardline.

When a touchdown is scored the side scor ing is credited with sixpoints. Then he has one play to try for the one extra point and may doso as follows: Either place the marker on his opponents ten yard lineand try a running play or forward pass or drop back to his own twentyyard line and try to thump the ball between the uprights of his opponents goal posts. In either event if successful he is credited with anadditional one point, making seven.

It is desirable to have someone act as referee and when this is possiblethe players must abide by his decisions. The game can be played inquarters of a given length of time each, (usually fifteen minutes), or adesignated number of plays per quarter, (preferably forty). The refereecan serve as timekeeper or keep tally of the number of plays used, asthe case may be. He also is final judge of close decisions and keepsrecords of the down, etc. Vhen the pointer stops exactly on a line inthe circle played both teams are ruled 'ofside and the play is repeatedwithout loss of down or other penalty. All punts that go over thedefending player s goal line are given into his possesslon on his owntwenty yard line.

This game is admirably suited for use in teaching persons who are notwell versed in football the fundamentals of the game by explaining whycertain plays are used under certain conditions, and at the same timethe element of chance enters so strongly into it `that a beginner oftenoutscores a veteran football player, although superior knowledge of thegame is usually shown by the results.

As shown clearly in Figures l and 3, the pointer 18 is formed of anarrow strip of metal and has oppositely projecting arms, one of whicharms has its plane horizontal, and the other of which arms is twisted atright angles to the first named arm so that its plane is vertical, saidother arm constituting a thin straight indicating hand extending to theoutermost circle l2 so that the desired chance indication may be readilyread in any circular area.

The goal posts 26 are in the nature of small upright wickets fastened tothe board and of such height that they will not interfere with closingof the latter. Mounted on the end walls of the board section having therepresentation of the field, are small bells 28. These bells aredisposed behind and between `the uprights of the goal posts so as to being a diagram of ay football field formed thereon, goal post-formingwickets mounted in an upright position on the board at opposite ends ofsaid diagram, signal bells mounted beyond and in alinement with saidwickets,

and an indicator movably mounted on said playing field, said indicatorbeing constructed to represent a miniature football,

and being so made as to permit it to be thumped through either of saidwickets, from a predetermined position on said eld, whereby to ring saidbell.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

EUGENE W. ROBERT.

